ConfessionsThursday, April 5: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m; 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.Friday, April 6: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m; 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.;7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Saturday, April 7: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m; 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.(Note: There will not be confessions Saturday evening or on Easter Sunday morning)

Altar boys and priests process in during the Tre Ore Services following the Office of Midday (Sext) on Good Friday, 2006

All bow as the "Gloria Patri" is prayed at the end of one of the psalms during Sext

The Crucifix following veneration at the conclusion of the Tre Ore Services

If you are within driving distance of Assumption Grotto, consider the drive in for one or more of our Holy Week Masses or services.

Also noteworthy is the Orchestra Mass that will take place at the 9:30am Latin Novus Ordo with Rev. Eduard Perrone conducting. This will feature a Mass written by Paul Paray for the 500th Anniversary of the Death of Joan of Arc and will have a very large orchestra. If you can't make that Mass, you will have another chance on Divine Mercy Sunday - likely the noon Mass. There is an opportunity to provide donations to aid the music program at Assumption Grotto after the Liturgy.

Note about Good Friday's Tre Ore Services

Each year Assumption Grotto seats fill closer to capacity as people learn about the unique and magnificent Tre Ore Service. I can guarantee that if you have never been to Assumption Grotto on Good Friday afternoon, you will be blown away.

If you have been given the day off by your company or school, give God those three hours, or at least part of that time and if possible, come to Assumption Grotto for this most solemn service. This year, by the grace of God, I may be able to provide some video footage.

What is so unique about it? (EDIT: Not all is "unique" per se, such as the priests laying prostrate (click the link two paragraphs down to find out what is suppose to happen when they enter the sanctuary during the Good Friday service).

It begins with a silent procession of priests and altar boys - entering from the sides of the church and all chant - alternating sides - the midday office.

The Passion, which is normally read at most parishes, is chanted and sung in its entirety!!! Priests take the appropriate parts, and a variety of other singers, including the choir do the other parts. There are opportunities for lay people to sing, as well.

Then comes the veneration of the Cross, with a long trail of altar boys leading the way.

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron

St. John of the Cross

Dark Night of the Soul (2.2:3)...

"...the devil causes many to believe in vain visionsand false prophecies; and strives to make them presumethat God and the saints are speaking with them; and they often trust their own fancy. And the devil is also accustomed, in this state, to fill them with presumption and pride, so that they become attracted by vanity and arrogance, and allow themselves to be seen engaging in outward acts which appear holy, such as raptures and other manifestations. Thus they become bold with God, and lose holy fear, which is the key and the custodian of all the virtues; and in some of these souls so many are the falsehoods and deceits which tend to multiply, and so inveterate do they grow, that it is very doubtful if such souls will return to the pure road of virtue and true spirituality."